Family Laniide
SHRIKES.
The Shrikes, numbering about two hundred species, are largely confined to the Old World. Only two species are found in America, both members of the subfamily Laniinæ or true Shrikes. Their characteristic habits are described under their respective names. 621. Lanius borealis Vieill. NORTHERN SHRIKE; BUTCHER-BIRD. Ad.-Upper parts gray; wings and tail black; primaries white at the base, secondaries tipped with white or grayish; outer, sometimes all, the tailfeathers tipped with white, the outer feather mostly white; forehead whitish; lores grayish black; ear-coverts black; under parts white, generally finely barred with black; bill hooked and hawklike. Im. - Similar, but entire plumage more or less heavily barred or washed with grayish brown. L., 10-32; W., 4.55; T., 4.00; B. from N., 55.